It's really hot in AZ right now so I spend most of my time at my local indoor field (once it's in the 70's in the fall I'll spend more time at the larger fields). Anyway's it's a FPO facility, and they have TONS of new people due to being in the city and indoor. Indoor paintball is huge when it's 115 out, and people want to be active, but beat the heat.

I've found that I rarely ever get asked to borrow a pod, etc, but if I overhear a player saying he's out and can't play, or someone runs out I'll normally toss them at least a pod so they can play another game. If I know it's going to be a few weeks before I get back and have only a bag or so left I'll just give it to someone and let them have it since it'll be a few weeks anyways.

Figure the most important thing I can do is be a positive impact to the newer players, and the sport itself. If just a few people come back because they remember it fondly due to that paint it's a win overall.

It's really hot in AZ right now so I spend most of my time at my local indoor field (once it's in the 70's in the fall I'll spend more time at the larger fields). Anyway's it's a FPO facility, and they have TONS of new people due to being in the city and indoor. Indoor paintball is huge when it's 115 out, and people want to be active, but beat the heat.

I've found that I rarely ever get asked to borrow a pod, etc, but if I overhear a player saying he's out and can't play, or someone runs out I'll normally toss them at least a pod so they can play another game. If I know it's going to be a few weeks before I get back and have only a bag or so left I'll just give it to someone and let them have it since it'll be a few weeks anyways.

Figure the most important thing I can do is be a positive impact to the newer players, and the sport itself. If just a few people come back because they remember it fondly due to that paint it's a win overall.

I see what you mean bu giving paint thats just going to sit away to rentals...i dont due to the fact i play 1-2 times a week

Tossing a pod to a rental during a game so we can work together to get the win, or hold off the inevitable defeat a bit longer (both equally fun), oh yeah, I'll do that no problem.

Tossing that last bag out of a case to the kid having a birthday rental party when I'm done for the day, sure, the look on the kids face when he finds out he can get yet another game in that day is totally worth it.

Even topping off a hopper between two quick turn around games, and having a bit left in the pod, I'll ask "who needs a top off?" instead of dumping it on the ground or having it bouncing around in my pack.

But I got to say I've never given paint to someone panhandling for it. That's just asking too much.

I was playing a week or so ago at a local indoor field (again, 115 heat is not fun to play in! A/C FTW!) and a group came in from out of the country to play during their downtime on their trip.

I BS'd with them a bit while they were getting their gear (I was at the counter talking with a friend who works there, and also enjoying watching him tech a marker that paint blew up in 8 months ago!) and they were psyched to play.

After their first game they were going to buy a case to share between them (enough for rentals) and a few wanted to jump in the game that was about to start so I grabbed their pods, and filled one for each of the 3 who wanted to play and told them it's all good. Have a good time.

They all played all day, and we BS'd here/there and talked about how it's insanely hot in AZ, and how they were having a blast.

End of the day came around, and they set 3/4 of a case in front of me (they went through their first one, bought a second, and part way through found out they had to leave) and told me to enjoy it. I looked up, and they said because they were from out of country they weren't able to come back, and they had enough fun so enjoy it like they did.

Ehh, if someone asks me to give them paint, I usually don't unless they are really low and we are about to start another game. I don't care if they are a new player with a rental or a 20 year vet. If i top off my hopper before a game and have some left in the pod, i usually top off the hoppers of the kids closest to me.

I agree. After a game or two, if we run right into another game without the ability to refill, I'll always give a pod to a rental that is running low. Just keeps the games running and new people on the fields. What's 140 balls when cases are $50-$60? $5? The way I see it that's a small investment in the sport.

I tend to give paint to rentals that I build good rapport with. There are few guys I've run into that just keep to themselves and tag me as a "machine gunner" because I have my own equipment. If they are chill and wanting to have a good time, I don't mind keeping their game going with a couple of pods. There is definitely a weekly limit to my generosity .

I generally carry only one pod with me on the rec ball field, but I've been known to give it to players who need it. In my neck of the woods, if you give someone paint, they'll often come back and try to repay you with a pod. If they're grown up, I'll take it. If they're a kid, I just write it off and let them have it.

I am also pleased to see that so many other paintballers feel the same way about panhandling that I do. It's disgusting and unseemly and I never give paint to someone who has the audacity to beg for it.

it was either the first or second time playing, me and my friend were starting to pack up as we were out of paint. a few guys there wanted us to keep playing with them and they gave us a bag. i will always remember that. whenever im playing and i hear a guy say im out of paint, i will most likely offer him a pod, and usually they will fill it back up after the game. but if someone asked for paint after a game in the safe area, it sounds like "im too cheap to buy more, lets try to get some for free"

I've given paint away often. Teammate in need. Newb who's gonna quit cause he's out. Left over at the end of my day. But all of these are when I want to.

At the Spring West Point Combat Classic, a little teen, in a full speedball outfit, who I have never met, yells to me during a battle, "hey give me a POD". First I ignore him. He tries again. No please, no explanation why he's out, no offer to return it. Nothing, just, "Give me a POD".

When I say, "I don't think so", he calls me an a-hole and runs away! I wanted to smack the little snot.

I'm blessed, and can afford plenty of paint, but at $70 for a case of 2000, if I'm doing the math right, a 140 round POD is about $5. Who walks up to strangers and says "give me five dollars"?

__________________Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd

Give away paint that I paid for??? ONLY if we are in a game and they need some to stay in the game and keep playing to help our side win. But past that, Hell No! I pay for my paint like everyone else there. Why should I give you mine because you wasted all of yours?

At the Spring West Point Combat Classic, a little teen, in a full speedball outfit, who I have never met, yells to me during a battle, "hey give me a POD". First I ignore him. He tries again. No please, no explanation why he's out, no offer to return it. Nothing, just, "Give me a POD".

When I say, "I don't think so", he calls me an a-hole and runs away! I wanted to smack the little snot.

I would have given him paint, but it would of come out of my barrel not a pod. I rarely give paint to people I don't know, and even when I do give paint its not much. I mainly play pump and use 50rd pods.

i usualy dont but one time it was a 10 year olds birthdayand he was there with his dad. he was opening his present from his dad and it was a spyder mr1, when to the chrono range to test it out i ran over, put a bag of paint next to the box, got a post it note and wrote happy birthday on it. the look on his face when he asked his dad if he bought it and his dad said no was pricless. his dad caught up to me later and said thankyou and tryed to pay me for it and i told him the only pay you need to give me is cherish the memory and keep playing paintball with your son. that little 10 year old is now 14 and plays snake for my team

When I was around 12 I went paintballing for the first time. Towards the end of the day, some guy who was leaving gave me his leftover bag which got me and my friend another last minute match which turned out to be the funnest game of the day. Random dude from a long time ago, thank you I'll always remember that and I try to give smaller rental kids paint whenever I don't need it. Just because I know firsthand what that small gesture can do to a beginning paintballer. That guy probably doesn't even remember me but I'll never forget